desertar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
desertar — to desert
The imperfect subjunctive of desertar (desertara, desertaras, etc.) is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, or doubts.
desertar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense often appears in 'if' clauses referring to hypothetical or unreal situations in the past, or after expressions of doubt, desire, or emotion related to the past.
Notes on desertar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Desertar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both '-ra' and '-se' endings are possible, but '-ra' is more common.
Example Sentences
Si yo desertara ahora, me metería en muchos problemas.
If I were to desert now, I would get into a lot of trouble.
yo
Dudaba que él desertara del equipo.
I doubted that he would desert the team.
él/ella/usted
Ojalá no desertaran ellos tan fácilmente.
I wish they wouldn't desert so easily.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Me sorprendió que tú desertaras de tu promesa.
It surprised me that you deserted your promise.
tú
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite instead of the imperfect subjunctive for past hypotheticals.
Correct: Use 'desertara' or 'desertase' in 'if' clauses about the past, not 'desertó'.
Why: The imperfect subjunctive is required for hypothetical or contrary-to-fact situations in the past.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se forms.
Correct: While both are correct, 'desertara' is generally more common than 'desertase'.
Why: Learners might not be aware of both forms or might overuse the less common one.
Master Spanish verbs in context
Memorizing tables only gets you so far. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see verbs like 'desertar' used naturally — in the tenses you're learning.
Related Tenses
Present
yo: desierto
The present indicative of desertar (desierto, desiertas, etc.) describes someone deserting now or habitually.
Preterite
yo: deserté
The preterite of desertar is regular: deserté, desertaste, desertó, desertamos, desertasteis, desertaron.
Imperfect
yo: desertaba
The imperfect of desertar (desertaba, desertabas, etc.) describes past habits or ongoing actions of deserting.
Future
yo: desertaré
The future tense of desertar (desertaré, desertarás, etc.) indicates an action that will happen.
Conditional
yo: desertaría
The conditional of desertar (desertaría, desertarías, etc.) is used for hypotheticals ('would') and polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: desierte
The present subjunctive of desertar (desierte, desiertes, etc.) is used for wishes, doubts, emotions, and after certain conjunctions.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: desierta
The imperative of desertar uses 'desierta' (tú) and 'desierte' (usted) for commands, and 'desertad' for vosotros.
Negative Imperative
yo: no desiertes
Negative commands for desertar use the present subjunctive: no desiertes (tú), no desierte (usted), no desertéis (vosotros).